ISLAMABAD: A police constable was martyred, and eight other police personnel and a member of the Federal Constabulary were injured on Tuesday after armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee opened fire on security forces in the Poonch area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident occurred during a clearance operation in the Bethak area of Poonch Division, where security personnel came under fire, the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
The slain constable was identified as Aqib of the Mirpur Traffic Police. The injured officer, Federal Constabulary Constable Shahzad, was taken for medical treatment.
Authorities described the attack as further evidence of what they alleged was the banned Joint Awami Action Committee’s violent activities.
پریس ریلیز pic.twitter.com/7huUShbqlF
— AJKPolice (@AJKPoliceCPO) July 14, 2026
The Azad Kashmir Police, in a press release, said members of the proscribed group had blocked traffic at several points along the Kohala–Rawalakot Highway, causing major disruption to travel and affecting the supply of essential goods.
Police said law enforcement agencies launched a clearance operation on Tuesday to reopen the highway, restore traffic flow, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of daily necessities.
It said armed members of the banned organisation opened fire on security personnel at Bathak Baloch during the operation. Constable Aqib of the Azad Kashmir Police was killed in the attack, police said.
The press release further said eight Azad Kashmir Police personnel, one Federal Constabulary official and two employees of the Public Works Department were also injured in the firing incidnets.
Clearance operation underway to restore traffic on the Kotli-Tararkhal Road
According to reports, the armed groups had erected illegal barricades at Baloch Bazaar, disrupting public transport and completely halting the movement of essential food supplies.
Security forces launched the clearance operation at Baloch Bazaar to remove the roadblocks and restore traffic on the vital Kotli-Tararkhal Road.
Also Read: Rangers Personnel Martyred in Attack by Banned Action Committee in Azad Kashmir
The armed groups affiliated with the proscribed Joint Action Committee put up strong resistance during the operation, in blatant violation of state laws.
Eleven security personnel were injured in violent attacks and firing by the armed groups during the clearance operation.
A clearance operation is underway to restore traffic on the Kotli-Tararkhal Road@OfficialDGISPR @GovtofPakistan #RadioPakistan #News #AzadKashmirhttps://t.co/Okd2XHaA6N pic.twitter.com/G512QSrrgP
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 14, 2026
According to analysts, whenever security agencies move to clear supply routes in response to public demand, armed groups affiliated with the banned Joint Action Committee attack security forces and open fire on them.
They said the sacrifices of the injured security personnel reflect the commitment of the country’s institutions to restoring peace and maintaining law and order.
Analysts further emphasised that ensuring the protection of citizens’ lives and property and clearing all supply routes are both a public demand and an urgent necessity.
Zero-tolerance policy towards proscribed Action Committee
Meanwhile, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a zero-tolerance policy toward members of the proscribed Action Committee accused of engaging in unlawful and disruptive activities.
According to officials, the government has revoked a notification that had withdrawn criminal cases against members of the banned group, prompting police in Mirpur to resume legal proceedings. The reactivated cases include allegations of damage to public property, vandalism, arson, rioting, and attacks on security personnel.
Mirpur Police said the cancellation of the notification has cleared the way for the arrest of individuals named in the cases, and efforts to apprehend the suspects are underway.
Six accused persons, including Zaheer, a close associate of the ringleader Mehran, have been arrested, while raids are continuing to apprehend the other accused persons.
The AJK government declared JAAC a proscribed organisation on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), stating that the group was involved in activities it classified as terrorism.
The ban was imposed ahead of a planned June 9 protest by the group, which was calling for the removal of 12 seats in the AJK Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
